News
NASU, SSANU to Begin Nationwide Protest Tomorrow
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have announced a nationwide protest set to begin on Tuesday.
This decision follows the recent breakdown of dialogue between the ministers of education and labour, and the joint action committee of the two bodies.
The unions had met with the ministers of education, labour, and employment, as well as representatives from the National Universities Commission (NUC), last week Thursday.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and address the unions’ grievances and to persuade them not to proceed with the planned industrial action. However, the meeting ended in a deadlock, with no resolution reached.
In a circular issued on Sunday, the unions said the protest will commence on 9th July 2024, across the state chapters of the federation.
The circular noted that a national protest will hold in Abuja on 18th July.
The circular reads, “The National body of the Joint Action Committee (JAC)of NASU and SSANU met on Thursday, 4th July 2024 to appraise and take a position on the current situation in respect of the withheld (4) four months’ salaries and other grievances of our members in University and Inter-University Centres.
“Similarly, the National JAC on invitation met with the Honourable Minister of Education; Honourable Minister of State for Education; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education; other top officials of the Ministry and National Universities Commission [NUC].
“Unfortunately, the engagement with the Minister of Education has not shown any convincing commitment on the payment of the withheld salaries and resolutions of other pending grievances of JAC of the two unions.
“It is also disheartening that the JAC was also at the Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment and as usual, the Honourable Minister of State was not on seat to receive us, as we were informed that she had an urgent call from the villa.
“The Permanent Secretary who stood in for her could not make any commitment on the issues raised.
“In view of this disappointment and failure of Government to address grievances of NASU and SSANU, JAC has decided on a series of Industrial actions which include the following; All branches of NASU and SSANU should mandatorily hold a general meeting on Monday, 8th July, 2024 to sensitize members on the insensitivity of Government to our plights.
“A ONE DAY protest should be held on Tuesday, 9th July 2024 at each branch simultaneously. Every branch should ensure that all members fully participate in the protest and that the Press/ media is adequately mobilized.
“A NATIONAL PROTEST will be held in Abuja on Thursday, 18th July, 2024 after which JAC will meet to announce a date when the strike action will commence. Further information will be communicated appropriately. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this regard.”
News
Umahi Frowns At Slow Pace Of Suleja-Minna Road Construction
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed sadness and disappointment over the slow pace and poor quality of the Suleja-Minna federal road construction, which has been ongoing for 14 years.
Despite reports of 84% completion, Umahi stated that the work executed does not match the reported progress.
Umahi’s comments came during a Town Hall Meeting and stakeholders’ engagement on the construction of the 1,068-kilometer Sokoto-Badagri superhighway in Minna, Niger State.
The minister emphasized the need for improved quality and speed in the project’s execution and added that all contractors handling federal government projects in Niger State will be invited for assessment.
The Minister had passed through the Suleja-Minna Road to attend the meeting and express disappointment over the snail pace of work.
In addition to addressing the Suleja-Minna Road project, Umahi announced that the Federal Government is redesigning the Kano-Abuja Expressway. The new design will feature the use of concrete, which is expected to increase the road’s lifespan to between 50 to 100 years.
Governor Umaru Bago praised the value addition captured along the corridor of the road, particularly the irrigation potentials that the proposed 68 dams will avail farmers in the State. He also declared support for the choice of concrete in road construction.
Other stakeholders at the event raised concerns over funding and completion time of the projects.
News
Bitcoin hits $90,000 for the first time as Trump backs crypto
Bitcoin reached a record high above $90,000 on Wednesday, as the world’s largest cryptocurrency gained from President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to ease regulation on digital assets.
Bitcoin surged to a peak of $91,000 before settling at $90,670.
The volatile asset has soared since Trump’s US presidential election victory last week, repeatedly setting new records.
Trump had pledged during his campaign to make the United States the “Bitcoin and cryptocurrency capital of the world.”
His previous term included corporate tax cuts that boosted market liquidity, encouraging cryptocurrency investment.
In September, Trump announced he and his sons, along with entrepreneurs, would launch a digital currency platform called World Liberty Financial. However, its sales launch earlier this month was lacklustre, with only a fraction of tokens sold.
Cryptocurrencies have drawn global attention, marked by extreme volatility and the collapse of major industry players, including the FTX exchange.
In the lead-up to the election, Trump reportedly became the first former president to use Bitcoin in a transaction, buying burgers at a New York restaurant that hailed it as a “historic transaction.”
AFP
News
NYSC announces date for ‘2024 Batch C’ registration
The management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, on Wednesday, announced the date for the online registration of prospective 2024 batch C stream I corps members.
The management said the exercise will commence on Thursday, 14 November, 2024.
This was made known in a post on the official X handle of the NYSC on Wednesday.
“Online Registration for 2024 Batch ‘C’ SC Stream I commences 14th November 2024,” the statement read.
The orientation course will commence later on a date to be announced by the NYSC management.
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